Lingerie clasp



Patented ti,

narran all LINGERE CLASP.

Application filed July 15,

To all whom- 15' may concern:

Be it known that l, JOHN LEATHER, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of lVaterbury, county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut,have invented certain new and useful improvements in Lingerie Clasps, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to clasps, and more particularly to lingerieclasps worn by ladies upon the ribbons or shoulder straps of theirgarments, such as corset covers, brassieres, chemises, etc.

ln the modern style of womenys dress, the fashion is to make suchshoulder straps of extremely thin fabric. rlhe common forms of lingerieclasps have proven unsatisfactory when worn upon such straps, becausethey are designed for use on thicl fabric. Consequently these claspseither slip along1 the straps, or the straps have a tendency to crowd toone side in the clasps, and become disarranged, wrinlding the inaterial,and in some cases even causing the straps to become torn. Y

`@ne object of the present invention is to overcome the above mentionedobjections by constructing a lingerie clasp that will not only have agreater gripping power, but in which the grip will be more uniformlydistributed along the length of the clasp. l/Vith a clasp soconstructed., the very thinnest of fabrics will be securely and neatlyheld. in position. without the slightest danger of wrinkling, tearingo-r slipping.

Ain'rther object is to provide a cla-sp which can be readily attachedand detached by the wearer by operations involving the use of one handonly.

A further object is to provide a clasp that will be strong, durable, andattractive in use, and which may be rapidly and cheaply manufacturedfrom sheet metal, without ems expensive tools or complicated ma` 1921.Serial No. 85,535.

3:3*3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction ofthe arrows, and showingtwo fabric straps gripped by the tongue and plate of the clasp.

Figure l is a view showing the manner in whichv the clasp is worn uponthe person, two clasps being shown in position upon correspondingshoulder straps of the garments.

llignre 5 is a top view of a slightly modified form of clasp.

Figure 6 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 6 6 ofFigure 5.

Figure 7 is atop view of another modified forni of clasp embodying theprinciples of the invention.

Figure 8 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 8-8 ofFigure 7.

Referring now to the drawings, the first embodiment of the invention isshown in Figures l to t. In this embodiment, the clasp consists of twomain parts-the base plate l and the tongue 2-the entire clasp beingpreferably constructed by stamping from a single piece of metal, whichis afterwards bent into shape.

The plate l is integrally joined to the tongue 2 by the resilient curvedend section 5l. at its opposite end the plate l terminates incurled-ever resilient catch member 4:. This catch member is shaped likea hollow cylinder, and its extremity 5 lies parallel to and in contactwith the plate l-this close n contact boing necessary to prevent thefabric from catching under the extremity 5 and bcconiing torn.

ln order to secure a firm grip upon the fabric, longitudinal ribs 6 and7 are formed in the plate l. and tongue 2 respectively, and these ribsextend from the end section 8 to the catch member 42 of the clasp. Theupper face of the plate-rib 6 is shaped so that it Yfits within theunder face. or groove of the tongue-rib 7. As clearly illustrated inFigure 3. when the clasp is closed. the fabric within the clasp is notin a straight line, as in inost clasps, but has a double curvature,including two fiat side portions and a curved central portion. Thisdouble curvature has been found to be most effective in preventingslippage of the fabric, and as the ribs 6 and 7 entend the full width ofthe fabric. itV will be evident that the grip will be uniformlydistributed. ITwo fabric straps l() and ll are shown in Figures 2, to 4,but it will be understood that three or more may be employed, ifdesired.

The tonguarib 7 is extended, as shown at iglitly beyond the ends of tl elia-t sides tl` tongue-this extension S overlying edge of the catch fl.when the clasp is n vopen position.

, lfing the tongue lo the catclfi., the latter is provided with acut-out portion l), preferably circular in shape, as shown in Figure l,into which the tongue extension 8 .is adapted to snap, when the tongueis pressed downwardly upon the catch 4;. After the tongue extension hassnapped into the cutout 9, the catch expands again', and holds thetongue securely locked, in the closed position, as shown 'in VFigure 2.

It will be apparent from the'above that the fabric is held so firmly bythe clasps, it cannot crowd to one side and become crumpled or wrinkled.Moreover, the danger of tearing is reduced to the minimum because thestress on the fabric is uniform and not localized at any one point.

`When it is desired to puto'n a clasp, it is merely necessary to placeit around the lingerie straps and to push the tongue and plate together,with the thumb and forel'inger of one hand, until the tongue-extension 8snaps under the cut-out portion 9 of' the catch. The clasp is t-hen inits locked, position-as shown in Figures 2 to ll.

lllhen it is desired to take oil' the clasp, it is only necessary toflex thel base plate of the clasp slightly by placingthe thumb under thebase plate, and then pull down the ends of the clasp with the first andsecond lingers of the saine hand. The resiliency lof nthe base-,plateand the spring action of the curved end section will release the tongueextension 8 from the catch 4l and cause the tongue to fly open. Theclasp may then be easily removed from. the straps.

.Els clearly shown in Figure l, the clasps are generally worn in pairs.ln this view, an outer garment l2 covering an undergar- Vnient 13 areshown, each` being provided with straps lO and ll passing over theshoulders of the wearer. Two clasps .l/l serve to .beep these straps l()and 1l together in symmetrical relation, and at the same time preventthe garments from working around to one side. .lf desired another pairof clasps may also be worn upon the back. of the wea-rer, but ordinarilya` single pair of clasps will be sufficient.

Vln the two modified .formsof clasps illustrated in li'igures 5 to 8,the ribs on the tongues and pla-tes are of somewhat differentconstruction from the corresponding ribs on the clasp shown in Figuresl. to 4l.

rl`he ribs l5 aud lb of the tongue and plate of the clasp shown. inFigures and (i, have flat oval shaped ooi-tions 17 and 1S formed thereonintermedia-tethe ends thereof. The top of the fla-t oval section 17 onthe tongue, forms a convenient and .appropriate location for'ornaiiuantaton', monografias, or

other inscriptions tl-e oval shaped portions lj' and 18 not only enhancethe gripping power of the ribs l5 a ud 16 but are of considerableassistance in preventing sidewise slipping of the clasp across thefabric straps.

ln the form of clasp illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the ribs 19 and 2Oare made of uniform rectangular section throughout their length. Thisembodiment is partie ularly adapted to receive ornamentation andinscriptions, which may be engraved upon the flat surface of the widerib which extends the full length along the top of the tongue.

An important advantage of t-he clasps made in accordance with thisinvention is that they may be opened and closed without moving thetongue sideways across the base plate, which movement would be likely toinjure the fabric. rlhe clasps may be closed by a vertical movement ofthe tongue, and may be opened by vertically flexing the base.

This novel method of engaging and diseiigaging the tongue by simplevertical flexing movements, is of considerable commercial importance.Since horizontal flexibility is notl required, the tongue may be made of4wider, thicker, and stronger material, and

thus a larger number of fabric straps may be gripped in the same size ofclasp the number being limited only by the height of the cutout in theclasp.

The clasps disclosed herein are preferably made from brass,they mayafterwards be electroplated with gold. .Suitably tinted Celluloid mayalso be employed with success.

While there has been disclosed in this specification several preferredforms in which the invention may be embodied, it is to be Vunderstoodthat the same are shown merely for purposes of illustration, and thatthe invention may be modified and embodied in various other formswithout departing from its spirit, in short, the invention is .notlimited to the specific disclosure herein presented but includes all themodifications coming within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what claimed as new, and `for whichLetters Patent is desired is:

l. ln a lingerie clasp, a resi ient` base seca ibbed tongue i 4l i andmovable perpendicular trie e 'base ction having flocking and tong4 -1centering catch. the end of the 'ongue-rib extending beyond the end ofthe tongue, and adapted to lock the tongue to the base section when thetongue is pressed vertically downward. upon the catch.v

2. In a lingerie clasp, a base section, a

tongue joined thereto, said base section havy ing a rib interlockingwith a rib 011 Said tongue to grip a lingerie strap therebetween,

l lv 0 a catch having a locking recess inounted on the end oil the basesection, the tongue-rib being cxtciuled beyond the end ot the tongue7and adapted to orerlie the catch in open position. and to be lockedwithin the catch recess when the clasp is in closed position.

3. ln a jewelry clasp, the combination with a resilient base sectionjoined to a tongue, of a catch rigidly mounted on the free end of thebase section9 and fornied integral therewith, the tree end of said catchbeing in contact with and supported by said base, said tongue beinglocked by vertically pressing it down upon the catch, said tongue beingreleased by vertically flexing the base section, said tongue and basesection being adapted to tightly grip a thin fabric strip therebetweenwhen said tongue is pressed down upon said catch.

4t. In a lingerie clasp a base section, a tongue, said tongue and basesection being' provided with interlocking ribs, said ribs havingflattened portions intermediate their ends whereby they assist ingripping lingerie straps therebetween and serve to displayornamentation.

5. In a lingerie clasp, a base section. a tongue joined to said basesection, ineans for locking the tree end ot the tongue to the basesection. said base sec-tion and tongue having cooperating ribs forengaging a lingerie strap between the base section and tongue. saidtongue being released from said base section by vertically Vllexing thebase section, said locking means lying in contact with and supported bysaid base section.

6. A clasp for holding lingerie straps comprising base section and atongue connected therewith at one end, the other end ot said basesection being bent into the forni oi a cylinder to torni a catch forsaid tongue, said cylinder being curled over into contact with the basesection to prevent the. lingerie straps 'troni slipping luider saidcatch.

'7. ln a lingerie clasp, a base section having a recessed catch at oneend, and a resiliently supported tongue at its other end, said tonguehaving a rib extended longitudinally beyond the ond olI the tongue. andbeing ad: ited to be snapped into the recess oit the catch and locked tothe base section.

ln a lingerie clasp. base section. tongue connected therewith one enchsaid base having its other end bent over into contact with the basesection to torni a catch `member for locking the tongue.

9. A lingerie clasp comprising an elongated inetal strip bent uponitself to `form base section and a tongue, the base section having ucylindrical. catch with a circular cut-out recess ou its inner side7said tongue having a raised extension adapted to be dotachably locked insaid recess.

10. A lingerie clasp comprising an elongated nietal strip bent uponitself to Ytorni a base section and a tongue, the base section having acatch with a cut-out recess on its inner side, said tongue having araised extension adapted to be detachably locked in said recess.

ll. i jewelry clasp comprising an elongated inetal strip bent uponitself to i'orin a base section and a tongue, said base section havinga` catch on its tree end provided with an inwardly extending cut-outrecess. said tongue being provided with a rib, said rib having a portionextending beyond the tree end oit said tongue and locking under therecess on said catch for centering the tongue on the clasp.

l2. ln a lingerie clasp, a base section, tongue, and means i'or lockingthe tongue to the base section, a rib on said tongue, said rib haring aflat portion for receiving ornamental inscriptions and for enhancing thegripping power ot the rib.

i3. ln a lingerie clasp, a base section, a tongue, and means tor lockingthe tongue to the base sectioin a rib on said tongue.` said rib havingan oval flat portion tor receiving ornamental inscrigitions forenhancing the gripping power ol' the rib and t'or preventing sidewiseslipping et the clasp over the straps.

la. ln a lingerie clasp. a base section, a tongue connected therewith atone end. a catch on the other end oit said base section said catch beingadapted to spread. outwardly when the tongue is pressed down upon it.but being supported against spreading inwardly when pressure is exertedupon it. said tongue being locked by vertically pressing it down uponthe catclu and being released b v rertically Vflexing the base section.

l5. In a lingerie cla-sp, a base section, a tongue connected therewithat one endj the other end olf said base section being bent over intoContact with said base section and ning a fetch l'or said tong-rc. saidtongue locked by pressing it rc down pon said .tch and be released byverA n whereof. l have atti LIQ xed in v JOHN LlilAlHlfll,

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